Is it a dropped 3rd strike

Question
In womens division of ASA FP softball we had a pitcher that released the ball to early or it slipped but the ball hit the ground and bounced up and the batter swung and missed the ball for strike 3. The catcher flipped the ball out toward pitchers mound as the team left the field. The batter ran to first and the 3rd base coach sent the runner home. Our team was leaving the field and the home plate umpire said the base runner crossing the plate scored and that was the ball game. We lost 1-0. I asked how the run counted and he said because the ball hit the ground before it crossed the plate and she swung at it. It was considered a dropped 3rd strike even though the catcher didn't drop the ball after it crossed home plate. I tried to appeal the play and he said it wasn't a play that could be appealed and walked off the field leaving us standing there stunned. Once again he raised his hands and declared "Ball Game" What is the ruling here and what calls can be appealed.

Answer
Hi John,

The umpire is absolutely correct, this is a D3K situation.

The rule is NOT if the catcher "drops" the ball but rather "When the catcher fails to catch the third strike before the ball touches the ground and there are;
1. Fewer than two outs and first base is not occupied at the time of the pitch, or
2. Any time there are two outs"

In this case the ball hit the ground, the catcher cannot "catch" it once it strikes the ground. It continues to be a live ball and runners can advance at their own risk.  The b-r must of course safely achieve 1st for any run to count w/2outs.

This is a case where the other team understood D3K and your team did not.  IMO excellent coaching and taking advantage of what your catcher did, on your opponents side.

Mark